Equality Discrimination CLU 3 M Equality is an

Equality & Discrimination CLU 3 M

Equality is an essential aspect in the study of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is connected to each case study, every example, and many sections of the Charter. Equality, as a general term, is relatively easy to understand. However, equality, as a term associated with the Charter is a difficult idea to comprehend. How do you define equality? Does equality mean treating people exactly the same?

Equality Providing people with equal protection and equal benefit of the law does not mean treating people exactly the same. Rather, in our quest for equality, it is often necessary to treat people differently, as long as we are treating them fairly, so that they do not suffer from discrimination.

What is Discrimination? Discrimination occurs when someone acts on a stereotype or prejudice. Discrimination, therefore, leads to unfair treatment and imposes a penalty upon people for invalid reasons preventing them from having an equal opportunity to be a part of society.

Stereotypes Means “set image”. Involve generalizations about the "typical" characteristics of members of a group Refers to an instant or fixed picture of a group of people Labels that people apply to members of certain groups, regardless of their individuality Organize and simplify our complex world→ therefore, can be functional Usually based on incomplete information Can be positive, but usually negative Applied to many factors such as class, gender, race, age, and ethnicity

Examples of Stereotypes All women are dangerous drivers All Arabs are terrorists All Asian people are superior at Math All people living in South Keys are gang members All “Boomers” are clueless and stuck in the 50’s/60’s All “Trumpers” are racist All Americans carry a gun All middle-aged white men can’t dance! All Canadians are polite…the list goes on and on…

Prejudice It is a preconceived opinion, belief, or attitude about a group of people that is applied to an individual Literally means “prejudgment” A prejudiced person pre-judges another individual based on the fact that he or she belongs to a group, not on actual character, skill, or personality Prejudice opinions are based on ignorance, not fact Can be positive, but are usually negative

Stereotypes lead to prejudice STEREOTYPE→→→ All women are dangerous and bad drivers All Asian people are superior at Math PREJUDICE Ms. Check can’t drive well because she is female Yo-Yo is going to ace his Math test because he is Asian All people living at Cindy is part of a gang Longfields and Berrigan are because she grew up at gang members Longfields and Berrigan

Discrimination and the Law Discrimination is illegal, unlike prejudice and stereotyping, because it violates the human rights of individuals There are two types of discrimination in law: 1. Intentional discrimination (a. k. a. differential treatment) Occurs when a person or organization knowingly commits a discriminatory act (on purpose) i. e. A company fires an employee once they discovered he was gay.

Discrimination and the Law 1. Unintentional discrimination (a. k. a. disproportionate impact) Occurs when people or organizations treat others unfairly but are not aware that their actions are discriminatory i. e. - older buildings that were built without a ramp for people who use wheelchairs. i. e. - a fire department requiring applicants to carry a 100 lb (50 kg) pack up three flights of stairs. The upper-body strength required typically has an adverse impact on women. The fire department would have to show that this requirement is job-related for the position. This typically requires employers to conduct validation studies that address both the Uniform Guidelines and professional standards. In the above examples, the service provider or employer did not necessarily intend to discriminate. Yet, according to the law, discrimination has taken place because of the effect on the protected groups. In these examples, the individuals were faced with an unfair disadvantage due to the protected characteristics of physical disability and ethnic or national origin.

Prejudice can lead to Discrimination STEREOTYPE→→→ All women are dangerous and bad drivers PREJUDICE→→→ DISCRIMINATION Ms. Check is a terrible Ms. Check is not hired driver because she is as a limo driver with female Raven Limos because she is female All Asian people are Yo-Yo is a great Yo-Yo is given a supremely good at cellist and is going to harder test by his Math ace his Math test teacher because he is Asian All people living at Cindy is part of a gang Cindy is not hired as a Longfields and because she grew up teacher because she Berrigan are gang at Longfields and lives at the corner of